Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Religious traditions have played a significant role in shaping many familiar dishes. Over the centuries, abstaining from eating meat and other animal products for spiritual reasons led to creative, plant-based recipes that have since become cultural staples. I think this matters because it helps legitimize plant-based eating as something deeply rooted in cultural and historical tradition—not a fad...

Losing an animal companion can be a profound and often overlooked grief. In this episode, I explore what it means to mourn a beloved pet, how to navigate the pain, and ways to honor the bond that never really ends — all through the lens of the life and loss of my cat Charlie. —————— 🌟 Join thousands of like-minded subscribers  at my Substack . Community, connection, and inspiration for living com...

Enjoy my conversation with Mariann and Jasmin from Our Hen House. In this heartfelt conversation, author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau joins Jasmin and Mariann to discuss her eighth book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based and Cruelty Free , exploring how compassion can be a guiding force during challenging times and offering practical ways to manifest it in everyday life....

Enjoy my conversation with World Vegan Travel all about living compassionately and traveling sustainably. Travel just about seeing new places — it can be a way to show what you care about. On this episode, we talk about  sustainable travel  and  vegan travel , and how making smart choices while on the road can help people, animals, and the planet. She encourages travelers to support  responsible t...

Enjoy this episode of my conversation with Victoria Moran on her podcast Main Street Vegan. In it, we explore how everyday choices — from the food we eat to the words we use — can reflect and deepen our commitment to compassion, sustainability, and justice. We discuss the power of habit, the myth of perfection, and how to stay hopeful and grounded while navigating a world in crisis. Whether you’re...

Enjoy this conversation with Toni and Michelle from Plant-Powered People Podcast. Feeling overwhelmed trying to “do the right thing” in a complicated world? You're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong. In this episode, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau helps us move beyond guilt, perfectionism, and burnout by reconnecting with what matters most: compassion. Whether you’re struggling to stay consistent w...

A story about a house, a hillside, and a centuries-old oak tree—and what it teaches us about healing, renewal, and the resilience of nature. In this episode, I explore what it means to be a participant in the restoration of the world around us and ourselves.  —————— 🌟 Join thousands of like-minded subscribers  at my Substack . Community, connection, and inspiration for living compassionately, hea...

  A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free is now available wherever you buy books! I compiled a list for you here of independent and large retailers + where you can find signed copies! —————— 🌟 Join thousands of like-minded subscribers  at my Substack . Community, connection, and inspiration for living compassionately, healthfully, and sustainably.  Visi...

In Part Two of our exploration of Japanese cuisine (See Vegan in Japan: Part One), we’re diving deep into the specific foods, restaurants, and street food options that Joyful Vegans can enjoy when visiting Japan or Japanese restaurants anywhere in the world. While animal products—especially bonito flakes in broths—are common, Japan has a long history of plant-based eating, with many traditional di...

Love is for the Birds! In this episode, we explore the fascinating (and feathered) origins of Valentine’s Day. Long before Hallmark, medieval poets and BIRDS played a role in shaping this holiday of love. From Chaucer’s  Parliament of Fowls to the first handwritten valentines and the rise of mass-produced cards, discover how nature, animals, poetry, history, and tradition intertwined to create the...

Do I have a nutrient deficiency? Am I eating the wrong foods? Did I experience a stressful life event? Am I experiencing hormonal changes? Are my genes responsible? Do supplements work? Are treatments effective? Do topical remedies work? These are some of the questions we answer in today's episode on hair loss, especially as it pertains to women. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, we'll debun...

In this 18TH YEAR OF THE PODCAST, Colleen shares ideas, tools, and practices we can implement to live joyful, meaningful, healthy, compassionate lives. Today is the best day to start, whether or not it's the beginning of the new year.  A follow-up to 50 Ways to Live a Meaningful Life episode. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for b...

WARNING: This podcast episode contains only good news, especially stories that relate to animals and nature. So, stop doom-scrolling and start celebrating 20 good news stories from 2024 — from across the world:  Australia Zambia United States Ecuador Brussels United Kingdom Denmark... and more.  As we move into my 18th year of podcasting, thank you for your support and listenership.  —————— Join o...

  In this episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau dives into the complex but crucial task of understanding why people vote the way they do—and what that means for how we advocate for animals. In it, she shares insights into the psychological differences between conservative and progressive mindsets explores how these perspectives shape beliefs and actions and discusses how we can use this understan...

In today's episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau talks all about omega-3s —those essential fats we all need for heart, brain, and overall health. But here's the catch: instead of getting them through fish, which has ethical, environmental, and health concerns, we can go straight to the source: marine plants like algae. Omega-3s aren't included in a regular blood panel, so we'll dive into why it's...

PRE-ORDER COLLEEN'S NEW BOOK at http://www.joyfulvegan.com/preorder A dilemma a lot of new vegans grapple with is what to do with all the animal-derived products they have from their pre-vegan days — leather shoes, wool sweaters, down-filled pillows, etc. — and a question a lot of people ask is "is it vegan to wear / buy second hand leather, wool, silk, etc. In both cases, the harm has been done,...

In this episode, Colleen dives into the rich history of bread, exploring its ancient origins, cultural significance, and how it's been a vital, naturally vegan staple across the globe. From the earliest flatbreads baked in ancient civilizations to the diverse leavened breads enjoyed today, we'll uncover why bread has always been more than just food—it's a symbol of sustenance, tradition, and commu...

Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, a leading organization dedicated to creating a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world through education. As a pioneer in the field of humane education, Zoe has devoted her life to teaching and inspiring people of all ages to make ethical choices that benefit animals, the environment, and all forms of life. Her...

Ever wondered where the word 'shambles' comes from and how it evolved to describe chaos? In today's Small Bite Sound Bite, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau  unravels the fascinating history of 'shambles'—from its medieval origins in butcher shops to its modern-day meaning as a state of disorder. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for b...

  In today's Small Bite Sound Bite, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau tackles the question: Is raising your children vegan an imposition of your values, or a thoughtful choice for their well-being? Join Colleen as she explores the implications of dietary choices on the next generation and the ethics of shaping their food beliefs. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patre...

In this episode of  Food for Thought , Colleen Patrick-Goudreau explores the nuances of language surrounding our food choices. She revisits the topic of "The Language of Meat" and unpacks how the words we use can disguise or reveal the true nature of what we consume. From the shift of "meat" from a general term for food to one that refers only to animal flesh, to the way language impacts our cultu...

In today's Small Bite Sound Bite episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau explores the ethical considerations of drinking cow's milk. While cows aren't killed for their milk, the dairy industry involves complex issues around animal welfare, environmental impact, and the life cycle of dairy cows. Join Colleen as she delves into whether consuming cow's milk truly aligns with compassionate and sustaina...

In today's Small Bite Sound Bite, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau address the assertion that what people eat is a personal choice and that people don’t want to be told what to eat. They see their food choices as being their own personal choice, and they don’t want anyone (i.e. vegans) interfering with their right to choose what to eat or how to live.  —————— Join our awesome community and support th...

  In this episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau dives into the world of animal lookalikes to help clear up common confusions. She explores how to tell the difference between: Crocodiles vs. Alligators Ravens vs. Crows Bees vs. Wasps Rabbits vs. Hares Turtles vs. Tortoises Frogs vs. Toads Llamas vs. Alpacas Dolphins vs. Porpoises Bison vs. Buffalo ...based on their habitats, appearances, vocalizat...

Despite our best intentions to protect animals, ourselves, and the planet, is "humane meat" really the answer? Tune in to uncover the truth behind the label and discover more compassionate alternatives. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choos...